English: A Broken Language?

[The New California Republic]

As a native speaker of English, I am likely more than a bit biased when I say: I love the English language! Of course that doesn't say whether or not I think it is a "broken" language. The language isn't "perfect", no language can be, because every language has its own idiosyncrasies. One of the English language idiosyncrasies is the lack of use of the word "whelmed". We say we are "underwhelmed" or "overwhelmed" by something, but never simply "whelmed". The word just fell out of use with time, so now we use the base word with the additions "over" or "under", but never just the base word on its own.

[Katganistan]

I don't speak English. I speak brooklynese

Breukelen, the original Brooklyn, is a lovely village. Cycling along the river Vecht in spring, I can recommend it. Good memories

There are a lot of place names in New York that recall our Dutch Colonial heritage. I lived the first 14 years of my life on New Utrecht Avenue, and there's also... Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx (named for the Bronck family, originally).

[Ethel mermania]

I don't speak English. I speak brooklynese

Clearly the most superior variant of American English.

Dat's right

[Sovaal]

Breukelen, the original Brooklyn, is a lovely village. Cycling along the river Vecht in spring, I can recommend it. Good memories

There are a lot of place names in New York that recall our Dutch Colonial heritage. I lived the first 14 years of my life on New Utrecht Avenue, and there's also... Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx (named for the Bronck family, originally).

Not a terribly big fan of NYC, but I like the flag.

[The Blaatschapen]

Breukelen, the original Brooklyn, is a lovely village. Cycling along the river Vecht in spring, I can recommend it. Good memories

There are a lot of place names in New York that recall our Dutch Colonial heritage. I lived the first 14 years of my life on New Utrecht Avenue, and there's also... Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx (named for the Bronck family, originally).

Staten Island is named after Dutch parliament

[Nature-Spirits]

Linguistically speaking, no language is "broken". In fact, saying that a language is "broken" has no real meaning. One of the first things you learn in linguistics is that all grammars are equal.

[Questers]

English is actually very logical internally. It's just that it is one of a few languages which are neither analytic nor synthetic (really) so that speakers of either analytic or synthetic languages find it to be very illogical or weird.

[The Blaatschapen]

Linguistically speaking, no language is "broken". In fact, saying that a language is "broken" has no real meaning. One of the first things you learn in linguistics is that all grammars are equal.

But some are more equal than others

[Sovaal]

Linguistically speaking, no language is "broken". In fact, saying that a language is "broken" has no real meaning. One of the first things you learn in linguistics is that all grammars are equal.

But some are more equal than others

Sorry sheep, pigs are more equal then you.

[Nature-Spirits]

Linguistically speaking, no language is "broken". In fact, saying that a language is "broken" has no real meaning. One of the first things you learn in linguistics is that all grammars are equal.

But some are more equal than others

I mean, some have more social value than others, sure. Objectively speaking, though, no grammar is better than any other.

[The Blaatschapen]

But some are more equal than others

Sorry sheep, pigs are more equal then you.

*than

See, this is what I mean, while all grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

[The Founding Fatherland]

Ugly? Maybe.

Broken? No.

[Sovaal]

Sorry sheep, pigs are more equal then you.

*than

See, this is what I mean, while are grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

I have brought dishonor upon my family.

[Pasong Tirad]

Linguistically speaking, no language is "broken". In fact, saying that a language is "broken" has no real meaning. One of the first things you learn in linguistics is that all grammars are equal.

But some are more equal than others

Okay, Fake Afrikaaner.

[Sovaal]

Ugly? Maybe.

Broken? No.

Nowhere near imperical.

I for one find some of the other Germanic languages "displeasing to the eye".

[The Blaatschapen]

*than

See, this is what I mean, while are grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

I have brought dishonor upon my family.

Sure, but that was well before your little mistake here, why refer to it now?

[Sovaal]

But some are more equal than others

Okay, Fake Afrikaaner. wanna-be Dutchman

FTFY.

[Katganistan]

There are a lot of place names in New York that recall our Dutch Colonial heritage. I lived the first 14 years of my life on New Utrecht Avenue, and there's also... Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx (named for the Bronck family, originally).

Staten Island is named after Dutch parliament

[Hammer Britannia]

As a Native English Speaker, I can confirm English sucks

[Sovaal]

:ugeek:

I have brought dishonor upon my family.

Sure, but that was well before your little mistake here, why refer to it now?

It's a cumulative thing.

[Katganistan]

Sorry sheep, pigs are more equal then you.

*than

See, this is what I mean, while all grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

This is how I remember that: ThAn to compAre, ThEn is whEn.

[Pasong Tirad]

*than

See, this is what I mean, while all grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

This is how I remember that: ThAn to compAre, ThEn is whEn.

You know, I've never understood how some people can make these kinds of mistakes. It just seemed so natural to me.

[Sovaal]

*than

See, this is what I mean, while all grammars are equal, some grammars are just wrong

This is how I remember that: ThAn to compAre, ThEn is whEn.

Totally not going to steal this or anything.

[Katganistan]

This is how I remember that: ThAn to compAre, ThEn is whEn.

You know, I've never understood how some people can make these kinds of mistakes. It just seemed so natural to me.

Since I have to teach it, I come up with mnemonics to help my students remember.

[Katganistan]

This is how I remember that: ThAn to compAre, ThEn is whEn.

Totally not going to steal this or anything.

Do, and with my blessings and best wishes.